20 times since 1962 the tiny lake has seen my shadow. Barber cutting hair told me of it first time. 8 mile hike back then, maybe 6 today. Secret shortcut direct through forest using GPS makes it only 1 ½ miles. Thought barber, Leo, was spinning yarn. You know the kind. “Vance, this lake is small but full of native cutthroats as long as your arm,” he gushes. “Fish on nearly every cast.” Yeah, yeah, heard it all before. Set out alone to find it in Oregon wilderness area. Nearly died on trip. Rode motorcycle off cliff, stuck in tree between death and mountain, pulled bike up with rope, drank bad water and passed out, had to crawl on trail in pitch blackness of night with no light…blah, blah, blah. Teenage nightmare. …But I found that little lake. Everything that hair cuttin’ friend said was TRUE! Caught trout nearly 22 inches and 50 a day 12” and up not uncommon. Seldom visited. Primitive. Gorgeous. 1,000 year-old cedars and old growth firs surrounding it. Dragged family in there TWICE. Barber died long ago but think of him each time I visit that treasured and remote hole in the forest. Thanks, Leo!